Discussion
1 Read the statements. Do you agree or disagree with them? Tell your partner why.

1 An internship is an essential part of a university education.
No, I don’t agree. I think you learn about your subject at university, but you only get real
professional experience in your first job.
2 It’s normal to work without pay when you are an intern.
3 Every student needs to experience life in another country.
4 It isn’t difficult to adapt to a different culture.

Reading for gist
2 Read the first three paragraphs of the article opposite. Why is an internship in China
a good idea?

Reading for detail
3 Read the first three paragraphs again and choose the correct answers.

1 The most important part of your CV is
a) your qualifications b) your work experience c) your references.
2 It is hard to get internships in Europe because
a) there are more and more universities b) there is competition for places
c) Chinese students want internships in Europe.
3 Shaun went to China to
a) learn the language b) acquire cross-cultural skills c) find an internship.
4 Shaun is satisfied with his internship because
a) his experience impresses employers b) he is financially more independent
c) he loves talking about Shanghai.
4 Read the last three paragraphs of the article. Answer the questions.

1
2
3
4

What is Julia Barton’s job?
What are the four essential skills for working across cultures?
In Asia, how are attitudes to time different from Europe and the USA?
What sort of relationships do employees have with managers and with co-workers in China?

Listening for gist
5
1:07–1:08 Listen to two people talking about their internships. Are they happy
with them?

Listening for detail
6
1:07–1:08 Listen again. Complete the table.
Lena
Search for the keywords
internships abroad.
What are the best
offers? Compare your
findings with a partner.

Jamie

1 Where is the internship?
2 What type of business do they work in?
3 Where do they live?
4 Are they paid for their work?

Discussion
Glossary

page 151

acquire
crew
fierce
impress
reference
skill
team spirit

10

7 In small groups, discuss the questions.

1 Would you like to do an internship? If so, where and what type of work? If not, why not?
2 Would you pay an agency to organize an internship for you? Why? Why not?

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1.1 About business

Chinese
internships
impress
employers
5

10

15

20

25

What is the most important information in your CV?
Your school or university? Your degree subject? Your
grades? The answer is: none of these. According to the
Confederation of British Industry, 80% of employers first
look at the experience and skills you acquire on
an internship.
Work experience is now an essential part of a
university education. But competition for places in Europe
and the US is fierce, so more and more students are
doing their internships in China. As the second biggest
economy in the world, China has lots of opportunities for
interns to acquire experience. It also offers the chance to
learn a new language and to demonstrate the ability to
live and work in a different culture.
‘It was very difficult to find an internship in the UK,’
says Shaun Duggan, a graduate in business studies, ‘so
I decided to go to Shanghai. It was the best decision
of my life! After a year in China, I’m more independent,
more confident and better at working with people who
are different from me. When I came back to London, I
had three interviews. In each one, we talked about my
experiences in China for most of the time, and all three
companies offered me a job.’
So how difficult is it to live and work in China? Julia
Barton works for an agency that sends students to
work in multinational firms in Beijing. ‘There are four

30

35

40

45

50

essential skills for working across cultures. First of
all, you need intercultural sensitivity, that is to say,
the ability to see things in different ways, and to
understand how your own cultural values are different
from other people’s.’
A second important skill is managing uncertainty.
Barton gives the classic example of attitudes to time.
‘Americans and the British always want quick decisions.
But Asians generally prefer to take more time rather
than make the wrong decision. Multicultural teams
need to be patient and live with uncertainty.’ Thirdly,
successful interns adjust their communication to the
local style. ‘Chinese organizations are hierarchical,’ says
Duggan. ‘Everyone respects the boss. You need to
think carefully before you speak, and to be diplomatic.’
The fourth skill that impresses employers is the
ability to build relationships between people from
different cultures. Sandra Kay describes her experience
in Beijing. ‘In China, team spirit is very important.
We always had lunch together, and we often went
out together after work. Now I work in an
international team in Paris, and I encourage
everyone to do things together. My
manager is impressed because the
working environment is friendly
and productive.’

As the second biggest
economy in the
world, China has lots
of opportunities for
interns...
The Business 2.0

.
Columbus left Europe for America on
The Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami happened on
The Berlin Wall fell on
.
Neil Armstrong walked on the moon on
.
Queen Victoria died, aged 81, on
.
Nelson Mandela was released from prison on
.
The USA declared independence on
.
The euro was launched on
.

Name
Search for more dates
of important historical
events. Hold a class
history quiz in your next
lesson.

Date of birth
Passport number
Room number
Course reference
Start date

Glossary

page 151

analogue
badge
digital
register

Start time
Instructor
Cost
12 With a partner, take turns to dictate the information you wrote in Exercise 11. Complete
the table for both students.

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13

02/05/2013 14:04

1 Gaining experience
 present simple

1.3 Grammar Present simple

 adverbs of frequency
 prepositions of time

Present simple
Facts:
The earth revolves
around the sun.
Routines:
We have a coffee break
at 11am.
Permanent situations:
The President lives in
Washington.

Discussion
1 Look at the photos. What stereotypes do they suggest?

British people enjoy drinking tea.

Present simple
2 Complete the sentences about national stereotypes with the correct form of the verbs
in the box.

Grammar and practice
page 124

Adverbs of frequency
always
nearly always
usually
often
sometimes
not often
rarely
never
He always works hard.
She is never late.

drive eat live love play ride talk wear

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

The British love drinking tea.
Every American man
burgers.
The Chinese
their bicycles everywhere.
Every Brazilian man
soccer on the beach.
All Italians
with their hands.
More sheep
in New Zealand than people.
Germans
big fast cars.
Every Russian man
a fur hat.

Grammar and practice

3 Are the stereotypes in Exercise 2 true? With a partner, take turns to ask questions and
give short answers. Give reasons.

Prepositions of time
on
weekdays
dates
special days
the weekend (US)
at
night
the weekend (UK)
festivals
times
in
parts of the day
months
quarters
seasons
years

A: Do the British really love drinking tea?
B: Yes, they do. They have lots of tea breaks during the day.

page 125

Grammar and practice
page 125

14

4 With a partner, take turns to ask and answer the questions. Use the prompts
in brackets.

1 Do you put a Japanese contact’s business card in your pocket?
(not in your pocket/on the table in the meeting)
No, you don’t put business cards in your pocket. You put them on the table in the meeting.
2 Do British colleagues shake hands every morning?
(not every morning/just say ‘good morning’)
3 Do Americans wear jeans and a T-shirt to the office?
(not casual clothes/business clothes)
4 Do you disagree with a Chinese colleague in a meeting?
(not in public/only in private conversation)
5 Does a German call his boss by his first name?
(not senior colleagues/use title and surname)
6 In Indonesia, do you receive something in your left hand or point your finger?
(not left hand/not finger/use right hand/point your thumb)

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Adverbs of frequency
5 With a partner, take turns to ask and answer questions about the people in the
table below.

Search for the keywords
national stereotypes.
Can you find facts to
show they are true, or
are they nonsense?

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Who is a good time manager? Why?
Marcus, because he always finishes on time.
Who is a perfectionist? Why?
… a good manager?
… a team player?
… a leader?
… a good communicator?
… a good problem-solver?
… a workaholic?
encourage
the team

make
mistakes

find
solutions

set a good
example

go on
holiday

help
colleagues

share
information

Marcus

always

not often

often

sometimes

rarely

often

never

not often

Francesca

never

rarely

rarely

not often

sometimes

never

not often

rarely

Tina

usually

nearly always

often

sometimes

always

not often

nearly always

usually

Miroslav

sometimes

often

sometimes

usually

usually

not often

nearly always

usually
1.3 Grammar

finish on
time

6 Now ask and answer more questions about each person in Exercise 5.

A: Is Marcus a good manager?
B: No, he isn’t, because he doesn’t often encourage his team.
7
1:13–1:15 Listen to three parts of a radio programme about cultural habits in Europe.
Add the countries and percentages to each chart.

do we Europeans travel abroad?
How
They travel
or
a year.
All the time!
the weekend,
weekdays,
Just once
six months, or once a
?

the evening, …

9 Look at the questionnaire on page 114. Write four more questions. Then interview
your classmates.

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02/05/2013 14:04

1 Gaining experience
 expressions for meeting

people

1.4 Speaking Meeting people and making conversation

 expressions for making

conversation
 roleplaying a conversation

at a conference

Discussion
1 Complete the questions with is, are or do.

you staying?
1 Where
2 What
you do?
3
your job well-paid?
4
you have children?
5
you live alone?

you ski?
6
you religious?
7
terrible, isn’t it?
8 The weather
you think of the new government?
9 What
10
this your first visit to Serbia?

2 Work with a partner. Are the questions in Exercise 1 appropriate to ask someone you
don’t know? Put a tick (✓) or a cross (✗) next to each one. Give reasons.

Listening
3
1:16–1:19 Listen to four conversations at a conference. Answer the questions for
each conversation.

1 Where are the speakers?
2 Do they know each other?
3 What else do we learn about the speakers?
4
1:16–1:19 With a partner, find suitable words to complete the useful expressions in
the checklist. Then listen again and check your answers.

Useful expressions: Making conversation

16

Meeting people

Keeping the conversation going

Is this seat
?
Are you here for the
?
Hello. My name’s Greg.
I’m
(company).
Pleased/Nice to
you.
Pleased/Nice to
you,
Alan,
to see you!
Good to see you,
!
Silke,
is Alan Banks.

me. I really must …
Do
Anyway, …
(It was) nice
to you.
See you
.
It was nice meeting you.

talk about …

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Making conversation
5 Cross out the one incorrect option in each situation.
Search for the
keywords how to make
conversation. Make a
list of tips. Compare
your tips with a partner.

1
2
3
4

Glossary

page 151

anyway
favour
shuttle
tip
well-paid

5
6
7
8

Hello, my name’s Felipe Conti.
a) Pleased to meet you. b) How are you doing? c) Nice to meet you.
Hi, great to see you again!
a) Pleased to meet you. b) How are you? c) Good to see you too.
Let me introduce you.
a) Al, this is Khalid. b) Al, please meet Khalid. c) Al, Khalid. Khalid, Al.
Excuse me, I just need to talk to Gina over there.
a) OK, it was nice meeting you. b) OK, see you later. c) Nice to meet you.
How are you doing?
a) I’m good. And you? b) Working in Paris. And you? c) Not too bad. And yourself?
Can I help you, sir?
a) I have a reservation for two nights. b) I’d like to check out my room.
c) I’d like to check in, please.
Can I see your ticket?
a) I booked on my computer. b) I have an online booking. c) I booked online.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
a) That’s all right. b) No problem. c) Please.

Ordering and speaking
6 Match the sentences and questions 1–7 with the responses a–g.

Is this your first visit to Greece?
We’re at the Mercure Hotel. My husband is here with me.
I’m from Ireland, actually. But I work in London now.
Oh, really? Lucky you! What do you do?
I’m in the holiday business, too, actually. I’m a travel agent.
I see. By the way, can you recommend a good restaurant in town?
Yes, two. But they’re at home with their grandparents. And you? Are you a family man?

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)

Well, welcome to Greece. Where are you staying?
Sure. If you like fish, the Marina is very good. I love Greek food, don’t you?
No, I live here. On one of the islands, actually.
Uh-huh. And where are you from?
Me? No! I’m single.
That’s nice. Do you have children?
I’m a hotel manager. What about you? What sector do you work in?

1.4 Speaking

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

7 Put the exchanges in Exercise 6 in the correct order. Then practise the conversation with
a partner.

A: Is this your first visit to Greece? B: No, I live here. On one of the islands, actually.

Roleplay
8 Work in groups of three. Make conversation using the chart.

Student A

Student B

Student C

Start a conversation with B.

Respond. Talk about the weather.

Introduce yourself. Talk about
your jobs.

Respond.
Change the subject.

You see B, an old friend. Say hello.

Respond. Introduce C to A.

Ask A where he/she is from.

Say you must go. Give a reason.

Continue the conversation. Talk
about things you like.

Respond. Talk about where you
live and work.

Respond.
eWorkbook

Now watch the video
for this unit.

9 Work in groups. You are at an international conference. Complete the questionnaire on
page 121. Use real information, or invent the details. Then stand up and socialize! Meet ‘new
colleagues’ and make conversation.

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17

02/05/2013 14:04

1 Gaining experience
 inferring meaning

1.5 Writing Informal emails

 hellos, goodbyes and

introductions
 writing informal emails

[photo 18a: conceptual image relating to writing emails]

Discussion
1 In small groups, discuss the questions.

1 How many emails do you receive each day? Who are they from?
2 Do you prefer to write a letter, an email or a text message? Why?
3 In English, is it easier to write an email or make a phone call? Why?

Model
2 Read the email and underline the correct answers.

1
2
3
4

The reason for Gabi’s email is to thank Rita / to inform Rita / to ask Rita for help.
Gabi wrote the email a day / a week / two weeks before the trip.
Gabi plans to travel by car / train / plane.
Gabi’s Spanish course in Uruguay lasts 10 days / 12 days / 16 days.
 inbox | reply  | forward 

Subject: Re: Spanish training in Uruguay
Hi Rita,
Thanks for your email. I’m glad to hear you passed your exams. Well done!
I’m just writing to confirm my dates and times. I leave next Friday and arrive in Montevideo
at 6.30am on November 17. If you can meet me at the airport, that’s great. But if not, don’t
worry. I can take the bus.
My course is from Monday 19 November to Friday 30 November, non-stop. But my return flight
is on Tuesday 4 December at 10pm, so we can go to the beach at the weekend if the weather
is good!
Is there anything I can bring you from Switzerland? Some chocolate, perhaps? Just let me
know if you want anything.
See you soon,
Gabi
Search for the keywords
email etiquette tips.
List your top five tips.
Compare with a partner.

Glossary

page 151

instead
pick up
training

18

Analysis
3 Answer these questions about the email.

1
2

Rita and Gabi are probably a) sisters b) good friends c) business contacts.
Which of the following sentences were probably in Rita’s last email to Gabi?
a) My test scores arrived today – everything is OK!
b) Thanks for confirming your arrival date.
c) Let me know if you want me to pick you up when you arrive.
d) I hope we can spend some time together while you’re here.
e) Can you bring me some Swiss chocolate, please?

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Language focus
4 Decide which hellos and goodbyes are appropriate to use in emails to:

1 people you know very well: a family member, a close friend
2 people you know: a teacher, a work colleague, a manager, a customer, a supplier
3 people you don’t know: a teacher, a work colleague, a manager, a customer, a supplier
Hellos
a) Hello John,/Hi John,/John,/Hi,
b) Dear Mr Jackson,/Dear Sam,/Hello Sam,
Goodbyes
c) Regards,/Best regards,/Kind regards,/Best wishes,
d) Thanks,/See you on Friday,/All the best,
e) Love,
5 Complete the email openings with the words in the box.
about because to with

confirm my dates and times.
more information about your visit.
my English course in Canterbury.
ask you a favour.
my phone is out of order.
details of the next team-building day.
your computer problem.
tell you I can’t come to the seminar.

6 Match these sentences from emails with the writer.

1
2
3
4
5
6

Just let me know if you have any more problems with your product.
Just let me know when you can ship the order.
Just let us know if you’d like to come bowling with us.
Just let me know if you need any additional support while Sam’s off sick.
Just let me know if you need somewhere to stay.
Just let me know when Mum wants me to pick her up.

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

a colleague
a close friend
a manager
a family member
a regular customer
a regular supplier

Output
7 Imagine you are Gabi’s friend, Rita. Write these emails.

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The Business 2.0 Pre-Int SB.indd 19

1.5 Writing

1 Write to Josie, another close
friend. You won’t be in
Montevideo on November 17th.
Explain why. Ask Josie if she can
meet Gabi at the airport.
2 Write to Raquel, the friendly
manager of the pizza restaurant
where you sometimes work at
weekends. Tell her you can’t work
the weekend of 1–2 December.
Offer to work during the week
instead.
3 Write to your uncle Manuel, who
lives on the Gold Coast near the
beach. Ask if you and Gabi can
stay in his house for the weekend
of 1–2 December. Tell him the
good news about your exams, too.
4 Write a reply to Gabi’s email to
explain the arrangements you
have made.

19

02/05/2013 14:04

1 Gaining experience
 reading internship adverts

1.6 Case study The Intern Shop

 listening to interviews

and completing profiles

Discussion
1 How can graduate students find an internship? Think of as many different ways as
possible. Put them in order from the most likely to the least likely to succeed.

 presenting decisions

Reading
2 Read the advertisement and answer the questions.

1
2
3
4

What services does The Intern Shop offer?
How long are the internships?
Do interns receive a salary?
How does The Intern Shop match candidates and internships?

internet

TheInternShop
Today’s employers want graduates with work experience and
intercultural skills. But how do you get experience if you don’t have
a job? We can help!
The Intern Shop arranges paid and voluntary internships all over the
world. After one or two years working abroad, 90% of our clients
find a permanent job in less than one month.
We arrange everything: a job where you can develop your skills, a
place to live, visas, language training, etc. We can even find the best
travel deals and make your arrangements for you.
Just send us your CV and we will contact you to arrange a video interview.

3 Read about two internships. Which one is more attractive? Why?
internet

Project manager, Beijing or Shanghai, China

TheInternShop

Working for a large electronics manufacturer, you will plan and organize projects and work
schedules and manage a team of Chinese colleagues.
You have a degree in science or business, you are well-organized, you have good computer
and communication skills and you enjoy working in a team. You have a TOEIC level of 750
or equivalent.

Search for the keywords
how to find internships.
Make a list of tips.
Compare with a partner.

We provide free, shared accommodation, meals and language training on site, an annual
return air ticket and a monthly allowance of $500.

One of Brazil’s largest providers of logistics services has an excellent opportunity for a
future manager in its Recife warehouse. Working with an experienced manager, your job is
to guarantee ideal stock levels and on-time deliveries to our customers (sports equipment
stores).
You have a good degree, preferably in economics or business studies, and the ability to
learn languages quickly. Basic Portuguese is a strong advantage.
This internship is unpaid, but the company will pay for accommodation. Paid overtime is
available.

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Listening
4
1:20–1:22 The Intern Shop is interviewing three candidates for the internships in China
and Brazil. Listen and complete the profiles.

1

Name:

Tai Shinawatra

Date of birth:
Nationality:

Business Studies, from
Thai, English, a little Portuguese
Intercultural skills: Experience of Asian and American culture
Interests: Computing, electronics, rock and pop
Degree:

Language skills:

Professional objective:

2

Name:

Karen O’Connor

Date of birth:
Nationality:
Degree:

Modern Languages, Bradford University

Language skills:
Intercultural skills:

Friends from all over the world at university

Interests:
Professional objective:

3

Name:

To become a manager

Julio Suárez
December 14, 1989

Date of birth:
Nationality:
Degree:

Physics, from

Language skills:
Intercultural skills:

Lives in Barbados

Interests:
Professional objective:

Discussion
5 Work in small groups. Decide who is the best person for each internship.

Listening
6
1:23–1:25 Listen to the three candidates answering
one final question. Does this change your decision?